US20200091526A1 - Fuel cell module - Google Patents
Fuel cell module Download PDFInfo
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- US20200091526A1 US20200091526A1 US16/561,187 US201916561187A US2020091526A1 US 20200091526 A1 US20200091526 A1 US 20200091526A1 US 201916561187 A US201916561187 A US 201916561187A US 2020091526 A1 US2020091526 A1 US 2020091526A1
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- United States
- Prior art keywords
- fuel cell
- case
- auxiliary device
- gas system
- cell module
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Classifications
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04082—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
- H01M8/04089—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60L—PROPULSION OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; SUPPLYING ELECTRIC POWER FOR AUXILIARY EQUIPMENT OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRODYNAMIC BRAKE SYSTEMS FOR VEHICLES IN GENERAL; MAGNETIC SUSPENSION OR LEVITATION FOR VEHICLES; MONITORING OPERATING VARIABLES OF ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES; ELECTRIC SAFETY DEVICES FOR ELECTRICALLY-PROPELLED VEHICLES
- B60L50/00—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle
- B60L50/50—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells
- B60L50/70—Electric propulsion with power supplied within the vehicle using propulsion power supplied by batteries or fuel cells using power supplied by fuel cells
- B60L50/72—Constructional details of fuel cells specially adapted for electric vehicles
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04082—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
- H01M8/04089—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants
- H01M8/04119—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration of gaseous reactants with simultaneous supply or evacuation of electrolyte; Humidifying or dehumidifying
- H01M8/04126—Humidifying
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M8/00—Fuel cells; Manufacture thereof
- H01M8/04—Auxiliary arrangements, e.g. for control of pressure or for circulation of fluids
- H01M8/04082—Arrangements for control of reactant parameters, e.g. pressure or concentration
- H01M8/04201—Reactant storage and supply, e.g. means for feeding, pipes
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- B—PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
- B60—VEHICLES IN GENERAL
- B60Y—INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO ASPECTS CROSS-CUTTING VEHICLE TECHNOLOGY
- B60Y2400/00—Special features of vehicle units
- B60Y2400/20—Energy converters
- B60Y2400/202—Fuel cells
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- H—ELECTRICITY
- H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
- H01M—PROCESSES OR MEANS, e.g. BATTERIES, FOR THE DIRECT CONVERSION OF CHEMICAL ENERGY INTO ELECTRICAL ENERGY
- H01M2250/00—Fuel cells for particular applications; Specific features of fuel cell system
- H01M2250/20—Fuel cells in motive systems, e.g. vehicle, ship, plane
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02E—REDUCTION OF GREENHOUSE GAS [GHG] EMISSIONS, RELATED TO ENERGY GENERATION, TRANSMISSION OR DISTRIBUTION
- Y02E60/00—Enabling technologies; Technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02E60/30—Hydrogen technology
- Y02E60/50—Fuel cells
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- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
- Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
- Y02T10/70—Energy storage systems for electromobility, e.g. batteries
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y02T10/00—Road transport of goods or passengers
- Y02T10/60—Other road transportation technologies with climate change mitigation effect
- Y02T10/7072—Electromobility specific charging systems or methods for batteries, ultracapacitors, supercapacitors or double-layer capacitors
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y02T90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02T90/10—Technologies relating to charging of electric vehicles
- Y02T90/14—Plug-in electric vehicles
-
- Y—GENERAL TAGGING OF NEW TECHNOLOGICAL DEVELOPMENTS; GENERAL TAGGING OF CROSS-SECTIONAL TECHNOLOGIES SPANNING OVER SEVERAL SECTIONS OF THE IPC; TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS
- Y02—TECHNOLOGIES OR APPLICATIONS FOR MITIGATION OR ADAPTATION AGAINST CLIMATE CHANGE
- Y02T—CLIMATE CHANGE MITIGATION TECHNOLOGIES RELATED TO TRANSPORTATION
- Y02T90/00—Enabling technologies or technologies with a potential or indirect contribution to GHG emissions mitigation
- Y02T90/40—Application of hydrogen technology to transportation, e.g. using fuel cells
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a fuel cell module mounted in a fuel cell vehicle.
- a fuel cell module mounted, e.g., in a front room (motor room) on the front side of a fuel cell vehicle.
- a fuel cell module includes a fuel cell stack, an oxygen-containing gas system device for supplying the air, and a fuel gas system device for supplying a hydrogen gas provided in a front room.
- fuel gas system devices are placed in an auxiliary device case as a countermeasure against leakage from the fuel gas system devices and protection of the fuel gas system devices. Further, in an attempt to reduce the size and the weight of the fuel cell module, and improve the start-up characteristics, the layout to provide oxygen-containing gas system devices as auxiliary devices together with the fuel gas system devices in an auxiliary device case adjacent to a fuel cell stack has been studied.
- an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell module in which, even in the case where a load is applied from the outside, it is possible to prevent damage of fuel gas system devices.
- a fuel cell module includes a fuel cell stack mounted in a fuel cell vehicle, an auxiliary device case provided on a side part of the fuel cell stack, a fuel gas system device and an oxygen-containing gas system device stored in the auxiliary device case, and a fuel gas system protection mechanism configured to prevent interference of the oxygen-containing gas system device with the fuel gas system device with respect to application of the load to the auxiliary device case.
- the fuel cell module even in the case where the load is applied to the auxiliary device case, it is possible to prevent interference of the oxygen-containing gas system devices with the fuel gas system devices by the fuel gas system protection mechanism. As a result, even in the case where the load is applied from the outside, it is possible to prevent damage to the fuel gas system devices.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a fuel cell module according to a first embodiment of the present invention
- FIG. 2A is a schematic cross sectional view showing an auxiliary device case of the fuel cell module in FIG. 1 viewed from a right direction (BR direction in FIG. 1 );
- FIG. 2B is a schematic cross sectional view showing operation of the fuel cell module in FIG. 2A ;
- FIG. 3A is a schematic cross sectional view showing an auxiliary device case of a fuel cell module according to a second embodiment, viewed from the right direction (BR direction in FIG. 1 );
- FIG. 3B is a schematic cross sectional view showing operation of the fuel cell module in FIG. 3A ;
- FIG. 4A is a schematic cross sectional view showing an auxiliary device case of a fuel cell module according to a third embodiment, viewed from the right direction (BR direction in FIG. 1 );
- FIG. 4B is a schematic cross sectional view showing operation of the fuel cell module in FIG. 4A ;
- FIG. 5 is a schematic cross sectional view showing an auxiliary device case of a fuel cell module according to a fourth embodiment, viewed from above (C direction in FIG. 1 );
- FIG. 6A is a schematic cross sectional view showing an auxiliary device case of a fuel cell module according to a fifth embodiment, viewed from above (C direction in FIG. 1 );
- FIG. 6B is a schematic cross sectional view showing operation of the fuel cell module in FIG. 6A ;
- FIG. 7A is a schematic cross sectional view showing an auxiliary device case of a fuel cell module according to a sixth embodiment, viewed from above (C direction in FIG. 1 );
- FIG. 7B is a schematic cross sectional view showing operation of the fuel cell module in FIG. 7A .
- a fuel cell vehicle 11 is equipped with a fuel cell module 10 .
- the fuel cell vehicle 11 is a fuel cell electric automobile.
- the “above (upper part (side))” means the “above (upper part (side))” in the vertical direction.
- a stack case 14 containing a fuel cell stack 12 is provided in a front room (motor room) 18 formed forward of a dash board 16 (in a direction indicated by an arrow Af).
- the fuel cell stack 12 includes a cell stack body 20 as formed by stacking a plurality of power generation cells in a vehicle width direction (indicated by an arrow B).
- a first terminal plate 22 b is provided at one end of the cell stack body 20 as in a stacking direction (indicated by an arrow BR).
- a first insulating plate 24 b is provided outside the first terminal plate 22 b .
- a second terminal plate 22 a and a second insulating plate 24 a are provided at the other end of the cell stack body 20 as in the stacking direction (indicated by an arrow BL).
- the fuel cell stack 12 is held between a right side panel 78 of the stack case 14 and a first case member 88 of an auxiliary device case 72 through a spacer (not shown), and a tightening load is applied to the fuel cell stack 12 in the stacking direction.
- the fuel cell module 10 includes a stack case 14 containing the fuel cell stack 12 , and an auxiliary device case 72 containing a fuel cell auxiliary device 70 .
- the stack case 14 and the auxiliary device case 72 make up a case unit 74 .
- the case unit 74 made up of the stack case 14 and the auxiliary device case 72 has, in a plan view, a substantially rectangular shape having the long sides extending in a vehicle width direction.
- the stack case 14 includes a case body 76 that is rectangular in a plan view.
- the case body 76 includes a left opening 76 a formed on the left side (in the direction indicated by the arrow BL), and a rectangular right opening 76 b formed on the right side (in the direction indicated by the arrow BR), and has a box shape.
- the stack case 14 includes a right side panel 78 which closes the right opening 76 b of the case body 76 .
- the right side panel 78 is a rectangular panel.
- the right side panel 78 is joined to the right side of the case body 76 using bolts (not shown).
- a seal member (not shown) made of elastic material is provided between the case body 76 and the right side panel 78 , over the entire periphery of a joint surface joining the case body 76 and the right side panel 78 .
- the auxiliary device case 72 is a protection case for protecting the fuel cell auxiliary device 70 .
- the auxiliary device case 72 is provided adjacent to the stack case 14 in the horizontal direction and joined to the stack case 14 .
- the auxiliary device case 72 includes a recessed first case member 88 provided adjacent to the stack case 14 , and a recessed second case member 90 joined to the first case member 88 .
- the first case member 88 and the second case member 90 are provided such that the recess of the first case member 88 and the recess of the second case member 90 face each other, and a flange 88 a of the first case member 88 and a flange 90 a of the second case member 90 contact each other.
- the flanges 88 a , 90 a are tightened together using bolts (not shown), to join the first case member 88 and the second case member 90 together.
- the first case member 88 and the second case member 90 form a storage space 73 storing hydrogen system auxiliary devices 71 and oxidizing agent system auxiliary devices 40 .
- the first case member 88 includes a wall 92 joined to the case body 76 (bottom wall of the recessed first case member 88 ).
- the first case member 88 is joined to a left end of the case body 76 using bolts (not shown).
- a seal member (not shown) made of elastic material is provided between the case body 76 and the first case member 88 , over the entire periphery of the joint surface joining the case body 76 and the first case member 88 .
- the wall 92 of the first case member 88 has a piping opening (not shown) for insertion of a connection pipe which supplies an oxygen-containing gas or the hydrogen gas to the fuel cell stack 12 .
- hydrogen system auxiliary devices (fuel gas system devices) 71 and oxidizing agent system auxiliary devices 40 (oxygen-containing gas system devices) are placed in the auxiliary device case 72 .
- the hydrogen system auxiliary devices 71 are stored in the first case member 88 .
- the hydrogen system auxiliary devices 71 stored in the first case member 88 are an injector 84 , an ejector 85 , a hydrogen pump 86 , and valves (not shown).
- the injector 84 and the ejector 85 are auxiliary devices for supplying a hydrogen gas supplied from a hydrogen tank (not shown) provided in a center tunnel, etc. of a vehicle body, to the fuel cell stack 12 .
- An injector upstream pipe 89 in fluid communication with a pipe (not shown) coming from a hydrogen tank is connected to the injector 84 .
- One end of the injector upstream pipe 89 is connected to a hydrogen pipe connection port 90 d provided at an upper end of the second case member 90 .
- the injector upstream pipe 89 extends from a hydrogen pipe connection port 90 d toward the first case member 88 and the injector upstream pipe 89 is connected to the injector 84 .
- the hydrogen system auxiliary devices 71 should be understood as including pipes connecting the auxiliary devices stored in the auxiliary device case 72 .
- the oxidizing agent system auxiliary devices 40 are stored in the second case member 90 .
- Examples of the oxidizing agent system auxiliary devices 40 stored in the second case member 90 include a humidifier 60 and valves (not shown).
- the hydrogen system auxiliary devices 71 and the oxidizing agent system auxiliary devices 40 are provided to face each other.
- the humidifier 60 is an auxiliary device having a relatively large size in comparison with the other oxidizing agent system auxiliary devices 40 stored in the auxiliary device case 72 .
- the humidifier 60 is provided adjacent to, and on the left side of the injector 84 and the ejector 85 of the hydrogen system auxiliary devices 71 (in the direction indicated by the arrow BL).
- the humidifier 60 is used for humidifying the compressed air (humidification target fluid) to be supplied to the fuel cell stack 12 .
- the humidifier 60 humidifies the air (humidification target fluid), which is the oxygen-containing gas, using the cathode off gas (humid fluid) containing a large amount of water vapor (water).
- the humidifier 60 includes a cylindrical body 62 , an outlet head 66 sealing one end of the body 62 , and an inlet head 64 sealing the other end of the body 62 .
- Several thousands of hollow fiber membranes are bound together, and placed inside the body 62 .
- the outlet head 66 and the body 62 are joined together by flanges 62 a , 66 a .
- the inlet head 64 and the body 62 are joined together by flanges 62 b , 64 a.
- the humidifier 60 is provided in a manner that axial direction of the body 62 is oriented in the front/rear direction (indicated by the arrow A), the outlet head 66 is provided on the front side, and the inlet head 64 is oriented toward the rear side.
- the pipe 58 which passes through the second case member 90 extends forward from the outlet head 66 (in the direction indicated by the arrow Af).
- a channel member 56 such as a joint and/or a valve is connected to the pipe 58 .
- the pipe 58 and the channel member 56 are cast products of, e.g., aluminum.
- the humidifier 60 is fixed to attachment parts 90 e of the second case member 90 at fixing parts 60 a provided at a plurality of positions of the body 62 .
- the pipe 58 and the channel member 56 protrude forward of the auxiliary device case 72 .
- the pipe 58 includes a fracture point 58 a at which the pipe 58 can be broken apart easily when a load toward the rear side (in the direction indicated by the arrow Ar) is applied to the pipe 58 through the channel member 56 .
- the fracture point 58 a is a part where the strength against the load in the compression direction is low in comparison with the other part of the pipe 58 .
- the fracture point 58 a may be a recess of the pipe 58 recessed in the radial direction.
- the fracture point 58 a may be a groove extending in the circumferential direction of the pipe 58 .
- the fracture point 58 a may be a thin portion in the form of a slit formed in the length direction of the pipe 58 , or a curved portion of the pipe 58 .
- a load not less than a predetermined value is applied to the pipe 58 in the compression direction, the pipe 58 is broken apart from the fracture point 58 a as a start point.
- the load that breaks apart the pipe 58 is determined to have a value that is smaller the load that breaks the fixing parts 60 a by application of the load to the humidifier 60 through the channel member 56 and the pipe 58 .
- a load oriented toward the rear side (in the direction indicated by the arrow Ar) is applied from the front of the fuel cell vehicle 11 , e.g., by an obstacle, a load oriented toward the rear side is applied to the humidifier 60 through the channel member 56 and the pipe 58 protruding forward of the auxiliary device case 72 .
- the humidifier 60 is held in the auxiliary device case 72 by the fixing parts 60 a and kept at a predetermined position in the auxiliary device case 72 .
- the fuel cell module 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention offers the following advantages.
- the fuel cell module 10 is connected to the humidifier 60 (oxygen-containing gas system device) stored in the auxiliary device case 72 , and includes the pipe 58 and the channel member 56 extending forward of the auxiliary device case 72 .
- the fracture point 58 a is provided for the pipe 58 .
- the strength of the fracture point 58 a provided for the pipe 58 should be determined to be lower than the strength of the fixing parts 60 a of the humidifier 60 so that the fracture point 58 a can be broken easily in comparison with the fixing parts 60 a of the humidifier 60 . In this manner, it is possible to prevent the fixing parts 60 a from being broken.
- a pipe 58 A connected to the outlet head 66 of the humidifier 60 is provided to protrude downward from an auxiliary device case 72 A. Further, the channel member 56 connected to the pipe 58 A is provided below the pipe 58 A.
- the pipe 58 A and the channel member 56 may be provided on the right side or above the auxiliary device case 72 A instead of below the auxiliary device case 72 A (second case member 90 A). That is, the pipe 58 A and the channel member 56 should be connected to a position other than the front of the auxiliary device case 72 A.
- the strength of the pipe 58 A is configured in a manner that, when the load is applied to the humidifier 60 through the pipe 58 A, the pipe 58 A is broken apart before the fixing parts 60 a are broken.
- a thin fracture point 58 a as a thin portion may be provided partway along the pipe 58 A.
- the pipe 58 A In the case where the pipe 58 A does not have the fracture point 58 a , the pipe 58 A is bent from a position adjacent to the joint between the pipe 58 A and the auxiliary device case 72 A, and the pipe 58 A is broken apart before the fixing parts 60 a of the humidifier 60 are broken. That is, the position adjacent to the joint between the pipe 58 A and the auxiliary device case 72 A functions as a fracture point. As described above, the part of the pipe 58 A extending in a direction different from the forward direction of the auxiliary device case 72 A (in the direction indicated by the arrow Af) becomes a fracture point, and the pipe 58 A is broken apart from the fracture point.
- the fuel cell module 10 A according to the embodiment of the present invention offers the following advantages.
- the fuel cell module 10 A includes the pipe 58 A (and the channel member 56 ) connected to the humidifier 60 (oxygen-containing gas system device) stored in the auxiliary device case 72 A, and extending in a direction other than the forward direction of the auxiliary device case 72 A.
- the proximal part of the pipe 58 A is broken apart. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the fixing parts 60 a of the humidifier 60 from being broken.
- a pipe 58 B connected to an outlet head 66 of a humidifier 60 extends in an oblique direction, inclined forward of an auxiliary device case 72 .
- the fuel cell module 10 B according to the embodiment of the present invention offers the following advantages.
- the fuel cell module 10 B includes the pipe 58 B and the channel member 56 connected to the humidifier 60 (oxygen-containing gas system device) stored in the auxiliary device case 72 , and extending obliquely forward of the auxiliary device case 72 .
- the humidifier 60 oxygen-containing gas system device
- the pipe 58 B is broken apart easily, it is possible to prevent the fixing parts 60 a of the humidifier 60 from being broken.
- the fuel cell module 10 C includes, in the auxiliary device case 72 , stoppers 52 for preventing the humidifier 60 from moving closer to the hydrogen system auxiliary device 71 , and preventing interference of the humidifier 60 with the hydrogen system auxiliary device 71 .
- Each of the stoppers 52 is in the form of a rod member having a proximal part 52 a connected to the inner wall of the first case member 88 , and a distal end 52 b extending in a left-right direction up to a position close to the humidifier 60 .
- a plurality of the stoppers 52 are provided at intervals in the front-rear direction.
- the stopper 52 is not limited to the rod shaped member extending in the left-right direction.
- the stopper 52 may have a shape capable of preventing the humidifier 60 from moving closer to the hydrogen system auxiliary device 71 , preventing interference of the humidifier with the hydrogen system auxiliary device 71 , and guiding the humidifier 60 to a safe position.
- the stopper 52 may be a plate shaped member extending from the inner wall of the first case member 88 as a partition between the hydrogen system auxiliary device 71 and the humidifier 60 .
- the fuel cell module 10 C according to the embodiment of the present invention offers the following advantages.
- the fuel cell module 10 C includes the stoppers 52 .
- the stoppers 52 are provided inside the auxiliary device case 72 and in a neighborhood of the humidifier 60 (oxygen-containing gas system device) and prevent movement of the humidifier 60 in the direction toward the hydrogen system auxiliary device 71 .
- the humidifier 60 does not contact the hydrogen system auxiliary device 71 , and it is possible to prevent the hydrogen system auxiliary device 71 from being broken.
- a fuel cell module 10 D includes, in the auxiliary device case 72 , a first support member 54 a and a second support member 54 b for preventing movement of the humidifier 60 .
- the first support member 54 a is inserted between a flange 66 a of the outlet head 66 and a front surface 90 b of the second case member 90 .
- the second support member 54 b is inserted between the flange 64 a of the inlet head 64 and the rear surface 90 c of the second case member 90 .
- the breaking strength of the first support member 54 a and the second support member 54 b are higher than the breaking strength of the fixing parts 60 a against application of the load directed from the front side to the rear side.
- the first support member 54 a may be provided at any position forward of the humidifier 60 .
- the first support member 54 a may have any shape as long as the first support member 54 a can fill the space between the front surface 90 b of the second case member 90 and the front of the humidifier 60 .
- the second support member 54 b may be provided at any position rearward of the humidifier 60 .
- the second support member 54 b may have any shape as long as the second support member 54 b can fill the space between the rear surface 90 c of the second case member 90 and the rear of the humidifier 60 .
- the load applied to the fixing parts 60 a of the humidifier 60 is distributed to the second support member 54 b . Therefore, even in the case where the load is applied to the humidifier 60 through the channel member 56 and the pipe 58 , the fixing parts 60 a are not broken and remain intact.
- the fuel cell module 10 D according to the embodiment of the present invention offers the following advantages.
- the fuel cell module 10 D includes the first support member 54 a positioned in a space between the front side (outlet head 66 ) of the humidifier 60 and the front surface 90 b of the second case member 90 , and the second support member 54 b provided in a space between the rear portion (inlet head 64 ) of the humidifier and the rear surface 90 c of the second case member 90 .
- the first support member 54 a positioned in a space between the front side (outlet head 66 ) of the humidifier 60 and the front surface 90 b of the second case member 90
- the second support member 54 b provided in a space between the rear portion (inlet head 64 ) of the humidifier and the rear surface 90 c of the second case member 90 .
- the humidifier 60 can be used as a channel for distributing the load and as a member for achieving the required strength, it is possible to improve the strength of the auxiliary device case 72 without increasing the thickness and the weight of the auxiliary device case 72 .
- the fuel cell module 10 E includes, in the auxiliary device case 72 , first support members 54 a and second support members 54 b for preventing movement of the humidifier 60 .
- the body 62 of the humidifier 60 includes a displacement absorber 62 c which is broken apart when a load of not less than a predetermined value is applied.
- the first support members 54 a are inserted between a flange 66 a of the outlet head 66 and a front surface 90 b of the second case member 90 . Further, the second support members 54 b are inserted between the flange 64 a of the inlet head 64 and the rear surface 90 c of the second case member 90 .
- the breaking strength of the first support members 54 a and the second support members 54 b is higher than the breaking strength of the fixing parts 60 a against application of the load directed from the front side to the rear side. It should be noted that the first support members 54 a may be provided at any position forward of the humidifier 60 .
- first support members 54 a may have any shape as long as the first support members 54 a can fill the space between the front surface 90 b of the second case member 90 and the front of the humidifier 60 .
- second support members 54 b may be provided at any position rearward of the humidifier 60 .
- the second support members 54 b may have any shape as long as the second support members 54 b can fill the space between the rear surface 90 c of the second case member 90 and the rear of the humidifier 60 .
- the displacement absorber 62 c is formed as a thin portion or a curved portion in the body 62 to have structure that makes it possible to absorb energy generated by displacement of the auxiliary device case 72 and/or application of the load to the auxiliary device case 72 .
- the fuel cell module 10 E according to the embodiment of the present invention offers the following advantages.
- the fuel cell module 10 E includes the first support members 54 a provided in the space between the front of the humidifier 60 and the front surface 90 b of the second case member 90 , and the second support members 54 b provided in the space between the rear of the humidifier 60 and the rear surface 90 c of the second case member 90 , and the humidifier 60 includes the displacement absorber 62 c which is breakable or deformable by application of the load.
- the humidifier 60 includes the displacement absorber 62 c which is breakable or deformable by application of the load.
- the humidifier 60 can be used as a channel for distributing the load and/or a member for the achieving the required strength, it is possible to improve the strength of the auxiliary device case 72 without increasing the thickness and the weight of the auxiliary device case 72 .
- a fuel cell module which achieves protection of the hydrogen system auxiliary device 71 may be produced by combining a plurality of characteristic features shown in the first to sixth embodiments.
- the structure for protecting the hydrogen system auxiliary device 71 may be applied to the oxidizing agent system auxiliary device 40 other than the humidifier 60 , and may be applied to valves, a gas liquid separator tank, or an air pump, etc.
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- Chemical Kinetics & Catalysis (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Electrochemistry (AREA)
- General Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Power Engineering (AREA)
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- Electric Propulsion And Braking For Vehicles (AREA)
- Arrangement Or Mounting Of Propulsion Units For Vehicles (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- This application is based upon and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2018-172832 filed on Sep. 14, 2018, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.
- The present invention relates to a fuel cell module mounted in a fuel cell vehicle.
- Conventionally, there has been a proposal for a fuel cell module mounted, e.g., in a front room (motor room) on the front side of a fuel cell vehicle. For example, according to the disclosure of Japanese Laid-Open Patent Publication No. 2014-083875, a fuel cell module includes a fuel cell stack, an oxygen-containing gas system device for supplying the air, and a fuel gas system device for supplying a hydrogen gas provided in a front room.
- In the fuel cell module, in some cases, fuel gas system devices are placed in an auxiliary device case as a countermeasure against leakage from the fuel gas system devices and protection of the fuel gas system devices. Further, in an attempt to reduce the size and the weight of the fuel cell module, and improve the start-up characteristics, the layout to provide oxygen-containing gas system devices as auxiliary devices together with the fuel gas system devices in an auxiliary device case adjacent to a fuel cell stack has been studied.
- However, in the case where the oxygen-containing gas system devices and the fuel gas system devices are stored in the auxiliary device case, there is a demand for structure where, even in the case where a load is applied from the outside, the oxygen-containing gas system devices do not damage the fuel gas system devices.
- According to an aspect of the present invention, an object of the present invention is to provide a fuel cell module in which, even in the case where a load is applied from the outside, it is possible to prevent damage of fuel gas system devices.
- According to an aspect of the present invention, a fuel cell module is provided. The fuel cell module includes a fuel cell stack mounted in a fuel cell vehicle, an auxiliary device case provided on a side part of the fuel cell stack, a fuel gas system device and an oxygen-containing gas system device stored in the auxiliary device case, and a fuel gas system protection mechanism configured to prevent interference of the oxygen-containing gas system device with the fuel gas system device with respect to application of the load to the auxiliary device case.
- In the fuel cell module according to the above aspect, even in the case where the load is applied to the auxiliary device case, it is possible to prevent interference of the oxygen-containing gas system devices with the fuel gas system devices by the fuel gas system protection mechanism. As a result, even in the case where the load is applied from the outside, it is possible to prevent damage to the fuel gas system devices.
- The above and other objects features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which preferred embodiments of the present invention are shown by way of illustrative example.
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a fuel cell module according to a first embodiment of the present invention; -
FIG. 2A is a schematic cross sectional view showing an auxiliary device case of the fuel cell module inFIG. 1 viewed from a right direction (BR direction inFIG. 1 ); -
FIG. 2B is a schematic cross sectional view showing operation of the fuel cell module inFIG. 2A ; -
FIG. 3A is a schematic cross sectional view showing an auxiliary device case of a fuel cell module according to a second embodiment, viewed from the right direction (BR direction inFIG. 1 ); -
FIG. 3B is a schematic cross sectional view showing operation of the fuel cell module inFIG. 3A ; -
FIG. 4A is a schematic cross sectional view showing an auxiliary device case of a fuel cell module according to a third embodiment, viewed from the right direction (BR direction inFIG. 1 ); -
FIG. 4B is a schematic cross sectional view showing operation of the fuel cell module inFIG. 4A ; -
FIG. 5 is a schematic cross sectional view showing an auxiliary device case of a fuel cell module according to a fourth embodiment, viewed from above (C direction inFIG. 1 ); -
FIG. 6A is a schematic cross sectional view showing an auxiliary device case of a fuel cell module according to a fifth embodiment, viewed from above (C direction inFIG. 1 ); -
FIG. 6B is a schematic cross sectional view showing operation of the fuel cell module inFIG. 6A ; -
FIG. 7A is a schematic cross sectional view showing an auxiliary device case of a fuel cell module according to a sixth embodiment, viewed from above (C direction inFIG. 1 ); and -
FIG. 7B is a schematic cross sectional view showing operation of the fuel cell module inFIG. 7A . - As shown in
FIG. 1 , afuel cell vehicle 11 according to an embodiment of the present invention is equipped with afuel cell module 10. For example, thefuel cell vehicle 11 is a fuel cell electric automobile. In the following description the “above (upper part (side))” means the “above (upper part (side))” in the vertical direction. In thefuel cell vehicle 11, astack case 14 containing afuel cell stack 12 is provided in a front room (motor room) 18 formed forward of a dash board 16 (in a direction indicated by an arrow Af). - The
fuel cell stack 12 includes a cell stack body 20 as formed by stacking a plurality of power generation cells in a vehicle width direction (indicated by an arrow B). A firstterminal plate 22 b is provided at one end of the cell stack body 20 as in a stacking direction (indicated by an arrow BR). A firstinsulating plate 24 b is provided outside thefirst terminal plate 22 b. Asecond terminal plate 22 a and a secondinsulating plate 24 a are provided at the other end of the cell stack body 20 as in the stacking direction (indicated by an arrow BL). Thefuel cell stack 12 is held between aright side panel 78 of thestack case 14 and afirst case member 88 of anauxiliary device case 72 through a spacer (not shown), and a tightening load is applied to thefuel cell stack 12 in the stacking direction. - The
fuel cell module 10 includes astack case 14 containing thefuel cell stack 12, and anauxiliary device case 72 containing a fuel cellauxiliary device 70. Thestack case 14 and theauxiliary device case 72 make up acase unit 74. Thecase unit 74 made up of thestack case 14 and theauxiliary device case 72 has, in a plan view, a substantially rectangular shape having the long sides extending in a vehicle width direction. - The
stack case 14 includes acase body 76 that is rectangular in a plan view. Thecase body 76 includes aleft opening 76 a formed on the left side (in the direction indicated by the arrow BL), and a rectangularright opening 76 b formed on the right side (in the direction indicated by the arrow BR), and has a box shape. - Further, the
stack case 14 includes aright side panel 78 which closes the right opening 76 b of thecase body 76. Theright side panel 78 is a rectangular panel. Theright side panel 78 is joined to the right side of thecase body 76 using bolts (not shown). A seal member (not shown) made of elastic material is provided between thecase body 76 and theright side panel 78, over the entire periphery of a joint surface joining thecase body 76 and theright side panel 78. - The
auxiliary device case 72 is a protection case for protecting the fuel cellauxiliary device 70. Theauxiliary device case 72 is provided adjacent to thestack case 14 in the horizontal direction and joined to thestack case 14. Theauxiliary device case 72 includes a recessedfirst case member 88 provided adjacent to thestack case 14, and a recessedsecond case member 90 joined to thefirst case member 88. Thefirst case member 88 and thesecond case member 90 are provided such that the recess of thefirst case member 88 and the recess of thesecond case member 90 face each other, and aflange 88 a of thefirst case member 88 and aflange 90 a of thesecond case member 90 contact each other. Theflanges first case member 88 and thesecond case member 90 together. Thefirst case member 88 and thesecond case member 90 form astorage space 73 storing hydrogen systemauxiliary devices 71 and oxidizing agent systemauxiliary devices 40. - The
first case member 88 includes awall 92 joined to the case body 76 (bottom wall of the recessed first case member 88). Thefirst case member 88 is joined to a left end of thecase body 76 using bolts (not shown). A seal member (not shown) made of elastic material is provided between thecase body 76 and thefirst case member 88, over the entire periphery of the joint surface joining thecase body 76 and thefirst case member 88. Thewall 92 of thefirst case member 88 has a piping opening (not shown) for insertion of a connection pipe which supplies an oxygen-containing gas or the hydrogen gas to thefuel cell stack 12. - As the fuel cell
auxiliary devices 70, hydrogen system auxiliary devices (fuel gas system devices) 71 and oxidizing agent system auxiliary devices 40 (oxygen-containing gas system devices) are placed in theauxiliary device case 72. Mainly, the hydrogen systemauxiliary devices 71 are stored in thefirst case member 88. The hydrogen systemauxiliary devices 71 stored in thefirst case member 88 are aninjector 84, anejector 85, ahydrogen pump 86, and valves (not shown). Theinjector 84 and theejector 85 are auxiliary devices for supplying a hydrogen gas supplied from a hydrogen tank (not shown) provided in a center tunnel, etc. of a vehicle body, to thefuel cell stack 12. An injectorupstream pipe 89 in fluid communication with a pipe (not shown) coming from a hydrogen tank is connected to theinjector 84. One end of the injectorupstream pipe 89 is connected to a hydrogenpipe connection port 90 d provided at an upper end of thesecond case member 90. The injectorupstream pipe 89 extends from a hydrogenpipe connection port 90 d toward thefirst case member 88 and the injectorupstream pipe 89 is connected to theinjector 84. In the specification, the hydrogen systemauxiliary devices 71 should be understood as including pipes connecting the auxiliary devices stored in theauxiliary device case 72. - The oxidizing agent system
auxiliary devices 40 are stored in thesecond case member 90. Examples of the oxidizing agent systemauxiliary devices 40 stored in thesecond case member 90 include ahumidifier 60 and valves (not shown). As shown in the drawings, the hydrogen systemauxiliary devices 71 and the oxidizing agent systemauxiliary devices 40 are provided to face each other. - The
humidifier 60 is an auxiliary device having a relatively large size in comparison with the other oxidizing agent systemauxiliary devices 40 stored in theauxiliary device case 72. In theauxiliary device case 72, thehumidifier 60 is provided adjacent to, and on the left side of theinjector 84 and theejector 85 of the hydrogen system auxiliary devices 71 (in the direction indicated by the arrow BL). Thehumidifier 60 is used for humidifying the compressed air (humidification target fluid) to be supplied to thefuel cell stack 12. Thehumidifier 60 humidifies the air (humidification target fluid), which is the oxygen-containing gas, using the cathode off gas (humid fluid) containing a large amount of water vapor (water). - As shown in
FIG. 2A , thehumidifier 60 includes acylindrical body 62, anoutlet head 66 sealing one end of thebody 62, and aninlet head 64 sealing the other end of thebody 62. Several thousands of hollow fiber membranes are bound together, and placed inside thebody 62. Theoutlet head 66 and thebody 62 are joined together byflanges inlet head 64 and thebody 62 are joined together byflanges - The
humidifier 60 is provided in a manner that axial direction of thebody 62 is oriented in the front/rear direction (indicated by the arrow A), theoutlet head 66 is provided on the front side, and theinlet head 64 is oriented toward the rear side. Thepipe 58 which passes through thesecond case member 90 extends forward from the outlet head 66 (in the direction indicated by the arrow Af). Achannel member 56 such as a joint and/or a valve is connected to thepipe 58. Thepipe 58 and thechannel member 56 are cast products of, e.g., aluminum. Further, thehumidifier 60 is fixed toattachment parts 90 e of thesecond case member 90 at fixingparts 60 a provided at a plurality of positions of thebody 62. - In the embodiment of the present invention, the
pipe 58 and thechannel member 56 protrude forward of theauxiliary device case 72. Thepipe 58 includes afracture point 58 a at which thepipe 58 can be broken apart easily when a load toward the rear side (in the direction indicated by the arrow Ar) is applied to thepipe 58 through thechannel member 56. Thefracture point 58 a is a part where the strength against the load in the compression direction is low in comparison with the other part of thepipe 58. For example, thefracture point 58 a may be a recess of thepipe 58 recessed in the radial direction. Further, thefracture point 58 a may be a groove extending in the circumferential direction of thepipe 58. Further, thefracture point 58 a may be a thin portion in the form of a slit formed in the length direction of thepipe 58, or a curved portion of thepipe 58. When a load not less than a predetermined value is applied to thepipe 58 in the compression direction, thepipe 58 is broken apart from thefracture point 58 a as a start point. The load that breaks apart thepipe 58 is determined to have a value that is smaller the load that breaks the fixingparts 60 a by application of the load to thehumidifier 60 through thechannel member 56 and thepipe 58. By forming thefracture point 58 a, a fuel gas system protection mechanism according to the embodiment of the present invention is created. - Hereinafter, operation of a
fuel cell module 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention will be descried. - When a load oriented toward the rear side (in the direction indicated by the arrow Ar) is applied from the front of the
fuel cell vehicle 11, e.g., by an obstacle, a load oriented toward the rear side is applied to thehumidifier 60 through thechannel member 56 and thepipe 58 protruding forward of theauxiliary device case 72. Thehumidifier 60 is held in theauxiliary device case 72 by the fixingparts 60 a and kept at a predetermined position in theauxiliary device case 72. - As shown in
FIG. 2B , when the load applied to thechannel member 56 and thepipe 58 is increased, thefracture point 58 a of thepipe 58 is broken apart before the fixingparts 60 a of thehumidifier 60 is broken. Thus, the applied load is relaxed. After thepipe 58 is broken apart, thechannel member 56 moves (strokes) to contact theauxiliary device case 72, and receives the load from the front by the entireauxiliary device case 72. In this manner, the fixingparts 60 a of thehumidifier 60 are not broken, and thehumidifier 60 is held fixedly and secured in theauxiliary device case 72. - The
fuel cell module 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention offers the following advantages. - The
fuel cell module 10 according to the embodiment of the present invention is connected to the humidifier 60 (oxygen-containing gas system device) stored in theauxiliary device case 72, and includes thepipe 58 and thechannel member 56 extending forward of theauxiliary device case 72. As the fuel gas system protection mechanism, thefracture point 58 a is provided for thepipe 58. - In the above structure, even in the case where the load from the front is applied through the
channel member 56 and thepipe 58, thefracture point 58 a of thepipe 58 is broken apart before the fixingparts 60 a of thehumidifier 60 are broken. In the structure, the load applied to thehumidifier 60 is relaxed, and thehumidifier 60 is held without moving in theauxiliary device case 72. As a result, it is possible to prevent interference of thehumidifier 60 with the hydrogen system auxiliary device 71 (seeFIG. 1 ) and prevent the hydrogen systemauxiliary devices 71 from being broken by thehumidifier 60. Further, it is possible to prevent thehumidifier 60 from causing damage to the injectorupstream pipe 89. - It should be noted that, preferably, the strength of the
fracture point 58 a provided for thepipe 58 should be determined to be lower than the strength of the fixingparts 60 a of thehumidifier 60 so that thefracture point 58 a can be broken easily in comparison with the fixingparts 60 a of thehumidifier 60. In this manner, it is possible to prevent the fixingparts 60 a from being broken. - As shown in
FIG. 3A , in afuel cell module 10A according to a second embodiment, apipe 58A connected to theoutlet head 66 of thehumidifier 60 is provided to protrude downward from anauxiliary device case 72A. Further, thechannel member 56 connected to thepipe 58A is provided below thepipe 58A. - In the
fuel cell module 10A according to the embodiment of the present invention, for example, thepipe 58A and thechannel member 56 may be provided on the right side or above theauxiliary device case 72A instead of below theauxiliary device case 72A (second case member 90A). That is, thepipe 58A and thechannel member 56 should be connected to a position other than the front of theauxiliary device case 72A. - Preferably, the strength of the
pipe 58A is configured in a manner that, when the load is applied to thehumidifier 60 through thepipe 58A, thepipe 58A is broken apart before the fixingparts 60 a are broken. As shown in the drawings, as necessary, athin fracture point 58 a as a thin portion may be provided partway along thepipe 58A. - Hereinafter, operation of the
fuel cell module 10A will be described below. - As shown in
FIG. 3B , when a load oriented toward the rear side (in the direction indicated by the arrow Ar) is applied from the front side of thefuel cell vehicle 11, e.g., by an obstacle, a load in the direction indicated by a void arrow is applied to thechannel member 56 and thepipe 58A protruding toward the front side of theauxiliary device case 72A. The load is applied to thehumidifier 60 through thepipe 58A. When the load applied to thechannel member 56 and thepipe 58A is increased, the bending load applied to thepipe 58A is increased. As a result, thepipe 58A is broken apart from thefracture point 58 a made up from a thin portion, etc. of thepipe 58A. Accordingly, the application of the load to thehumidifier 60 is relaxed, and thehumidifier 60 is held fixedly in theauxiliary device case 72A. - In the case where the
pipe 58A does not have thefracture point 58 a, thepipe 58A is bent from a position adjacent to the joint between thepipe 58A and theauxiliary device case 72A, and thepipe 58A is broken apart before the fixingparts 60 a of thehumidifier 60 are broken. That is, the position adjacent to the joint between thepipe 58A and theauxiliary device case 72A functions as a fracture point. As described above, the part of thepipe 58A extending in a direction different from the forward direction of theauxiliary device case 72A (in the direction indicated by the arrow Af) becomes a fracture point, and thepipe 58A is broken apart from the fracture point. - The
fuel cell module 10A according to the embodiment of the present invention offers the following advantages. - The
fuel cell module 10A includes thepipe 58A (and the channel member 56) connected to the humidifier 60 (oxygen-containing gas system device) stored in theauxiliary device case 72A, and extending in a direction other than the forward direction of theauxiliary device case 72A. In the structure, in the case where the load from the front is applied to thechannel member 56 and thepipe 58A, the proximal part of thepipe 58A is broken apart. Therefore, it is possible to prevent the fixingparts 60 a of thehumidifier 60 from being broken. As a result, it is possible to prevent interference of thehumidifier 60 with the hydrogen systemauxiliary device 71, and prevent the hydrogen systemauxiliary device 71 from being broken by thehumidifier 60. Further, it is possible to prevent thehumidifier 60 from causing damage to the injectorupstream pipe 89. - As shown in
FIG. 4A , in afuel cell module 10B according to a third embodiment, apipe 58B connected to anoutlet head 66 of ahumidifier 60 extends in an oblique direction, inclined forward of anauxiliary device case 72. - Hereinafter, operation of the
fuel cell module 10B according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. - As shown in
FIG. 4B , when a load directed rearward (in the direction indicated by the arrow Ar) is applied from the front of thefuel cell vehicle 11, e.g., by an obstacle, a load in the direction indicated by a void arrow is applied to thechannel member 56 and thepipe 58B that protrude further forward than theauxiliary device case 72. The load is applied to thehumidifier 60 through thepipe 58B. When the load applied to thechannel member 56 and thepipe 58B is increased, a bending load is applied to a position near the proximal part of thepipe 58B extending obliquely, and thepipe 58B is broken apart easily. As a result, thepipe 58B is broken apart before the fixingparts 60 a of thehumidifier 60 are broken, and thehumidifier 60 is held fixedly in theauxiliary device case 72. - The
fuel cell module 10B according to the embodiment of the present invention offers the following advantages. - The
fuel cell module 10B includes thepipe 58B and thechannel member 56 connected to the humidifier 60 (oxygen-containing gas system device) stored in theauxiliary device case 72, and extending obliquely forward of theauxiliary device case 72. In the structure, even in the case where the load from the front is applied to thechannel member 56 and thepipe 58B, since thepipe 58B is broken apart easily, it is possible to prevent the fixingparts 60 a of thehumidifier 60 from being broken. As a result, it is possible to prevent interference of thehumidifier 60 with the hydrogen systemauxiliary device 71, and prevent the hydrogen systemauxiliary device 71 from being broken by thehumidifier 60. Further, it is possible to prevent thehumidifier 60 from damaging the injectorupstream pipe 89. - As shown in
FIG. 5 , the fuel cell module 10C according to a fourth embodiment includes, in theauxiliary device case 72,stoppers 52 for preventing thehumidifier 60 from moving closer to the hydrogen systemauxiliary device 71, and preventing interference of thehumidifier 60 with the hydrogen systemauxiliary device 71. Each of thestoppers 52 is in the form of a rod member having aproximal part 52 a connected to the inner wall of thefirst case member 88, and adistal end 52 b extending in a left-right direction up to a position close to thehumidifier 60. A plurality of thestoppers 52 are provided at intervals in the front-rear direction. It should be not that thestopper 52 is not limited to the rod shaped member extending in the left-right direction. Thestopper 52 may have a shape capable of preventing thehumidifier 60 from moving closer to the hydrogen systemauxiliary device 71, preventing interference of the humidifier with the hydrogen systemauxiliary device 71, and guiding thehumidifier 60 to a safe position. As another possible structure of thestopper 52, for example, thestopper 52 may be a plate shaped member extending from the inner wall of thefirst case member 88 as a partition between the hydrogen systemauxiliary device 71 and thehumidifier 60. - Hereinafter, operation of the fuel cell module 10C according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described.
- When a load directed toward the rear side (in the direction indicated by the arrow Af) is applied from the front of the
fuel cell vehicle 11, e.g., by an obstacle, a load illustrated by a void arrow is applied to thechannel member 56 and thepipe 58 that protrude further forward than theauxiliary device case 72. The load directed toward the rear side (in the direction indicated by the arrow Ar) is applied to thehumidifier 60 through thepipe 58. As a result, the fixingparts 60 a of thehumidifier 60 are damaged, and thehumidifier 60 starts to move. At this time, movement of thehumidifier 60 in the direction toward the hydrogen systemauxiliary device 71 is prevented by thestoppers 52. As a result, the movement direction of thehumidifier 60 is guided in a safe direction where the hydrogen systemauxiliary device 71 is not present. - The fuel cell module 10C according to the embodiment of the present invention offers the following advantages.
- The fuel cell module 10C includes the
stoppers 52. Thestoppers 52 are provided inside theauxiliary device case 72 and in a neighborhood of the humidifier 60 (oxygen-containing gas system device) and prevent movement of thehumidifier 60 in the direction toward the hydrogen systemauxiliary device 71. In the structure, even in the case where the fixingparts 60 a of thehumidifier 60 are broken due to application of the load and thehumidifier 60 is moved, thehumidifier 60 does not contact the hydrogen systemauxiliary device 71, and it is possible to prevent the hydrogen systemauxiliary device 71 from being broken. - As shown in
FIG. 6A , afuel cell module 10D according to a fifth embodiment includes, in theauxiliary device case 72, afirst support member 54 a and asecond support member 54 b for preventing movement of thehumidifier 60. Thefirst support member 54 a is inserted between aflange 66 a of theoutlet head 66 and afront surface 90 b of thesecond case member 90. Further, thesecond support member 54 b is inserted between theflange 64 a of theinlet head 64 and therear surface 90 c of thesecond case member 90. Preferably, the breaking strength of thefirst support member 54 a and thesecond support member 54 b are higher than the breaking strength of the fixingparts 60 a against application of the load directed from the front side to the rear side. It should be noted that thefirst support member 54 a may be provided at any position forward of thehumidifier 60. Further, thefirst support member 54 a may have any shape as long as thefirst support member 54 a can fill the space between thefront surface 90 b of thesecond case member 90 and the front of thehumidifier 60. Further, thesecond support member 54 b may be provided at any position rearward of thehumidifier 60. Further, thesecond support member 54 b may have any shape as long as thesecond support member 54 b can fill the space between therear surface 90 c of thesecond case member 90 and the rear of thehumidifier 60. - Hereinafter, operation of the
fuel cell module 10D according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. - As shown in
FIG. 6B , when a load is applied from the front of thefuel cell vehicle 11, e.g., by an obstacle, toward the rear side (in the direction indicated by the arrow Ar), a load directed in the direction indicated by a void arrow is applied to thechannel member 56 and thepipe 58 protruding further forward than theauxiliary device case 72. The load is applied to thehumidifier 60 through thepipe 58 toward the rear side (in the direction indicated by the arrow Ar). As shown by an arrow F inFIG. 6B , this load is transmitted to therear surface 90 c of thesecond case member 90 through thefirst support member 54 a and thesecond support member 54 b. At this time, the load applied to the fixingparts 60 a of thehumidifier 60 is distributed to thesecond support member 54 b. Therefore, even in the case where the load is applied to thehumidifier 60 through thechannel member 56 and thepipe 58, the fixingparts 60 a are not broken and remain intact. - The
fuel cell module 10D according to the embodiment of the present invention offers the following advantages. - The
fuel cell module 10D includes thefirst support member 54 a positioned in a space between the front side (outlet head 66) of thehumidifier 60 and thefront surface 90 b of thesecond case member 90, and thesecond support member 54 b provided in a space between the rear portion (inlet head 64) of the humidifier and therear surface 90 c of thesecond case member 90. In the structure, even in the case where the load is applied to thehumidifier 60 through thechannel member 56 and thepipe 58, it is possible to distribute the load to thefirst support member 54 a and thesecond support member 54 b. As a result, it is possible to prevent breakage of the fixingparts 60 a, prevent movement of thehumidifier 60, and prevent breakage of the hydrogen systemauxiliary device 71. Further, in thefuel cell module 10D according to the embodiment of the present invention, since thehumidifier 60 can be used as a channel for distributing the load and as a member for achieving the required strength, it is possible to improve the strength of theauxiliary device case 72 without increasing the thickness and the weight of theauxiliary device case 72. - As shown in
FIG. 7A , thefuel cell module 10E according to the sixth embodiment includes, in theauxiliary device case 72,first support members 54 a andsecond support members 54 b for preventing movement of thehumidifier 60. Further, thebody 62 of thehumidifier 60 includes adisplacement absorber 62 c which is broken apart when a load of not less than a predetermined value is applied. - The
first support members 54 a are inserted between aflange 66 a of theoutlet head 66 and afront surface 90 b of thesecond case member 90. Further, thesecond support members 54 b are inserted between theflange 64 a of theinlet head 64 and therear surface 90 c of thesecond case member 90. Preferably, the breaking strength of thefirst support members 54 a and thesecond support members 54 b is higher than the breaking strength of the fixingparts 60 a against application of the load directed from the front side to the rear side. It should be noted that thefirst support members 54 a may be provided at any position forward of thehumidifier 60. Further, thefirst support members 54 a may have any shape as long as thefirst support members 54 a can fill the space between thefront surface 90 b of thesecond case member 90 and the front of thehumidifier 60. Further, thesecond support members 54 b may be provided at any position rearward of thehumidifier 60. Further, thesecond support members 54 b may have any shape as long as thesecond support members 54 b can fill the space between therear surface 90 c of thesecond case member 90 and the rear of thehumidifier 60. - For example, the
displacement absorber 62 c is formed as a thin portion or a curved portion in thebody 62 to have structure that makes it possible to absorb energy generated by displacement of theauxiliary device case 72 and/or application of the load to theauxiliary device case 72. - Hereinafter, operation of the
fuel cell module 10E according to the embodiment of the present invention will be described. - As shown in
FIG. 7B , when a load is applied from the front of thefuel cell vehicle 11, e.g., by an obstacle, toward the rear side (in the direction indicated by the arrow Ar), a load in the direction indicated by a void arrow is applied to thechannel member 56 and thepipe 58 protruding further forward than theauxiliary device case 72. The load is applied to thehumidifier 60 through thepipe 58. This load is transmitted to arear surface 90 c of thesecond case member 90 through thefirst support members 54 a and thesecond support members 54 b. At this time, the load applied to the fixingparts 60 a of thehumidifier 60 is distributed to thesecond support members 54 b. Therefore, the fixingparts 60 a are not broken and remain intact. - When an additional load is applied to cause deformation of the
second case member 90 of theauxiliary device case 72, and the load is applied from thesecond case member 90 to thehumidifier 60, thedisplacement absorber 62 c of thehumidifier 60 is broken apart or deformed. In the structure, energy generated by displacement of thesecond case member 90 and/or application of the load to thesecond case member 90 is absorbed. As a result, breakage of the fixingparts 60 a of thehumidifier 60 is prevented, and thehumidifier 60 is kept fixed at a predetermined position. - The
fuel cell module 10E according to the embodiment of the present invention offers the following advantages. - The
fuel cell module 10E includes thefirst support members 54 a provided in the space between the front of thehumidifier 60 and thefront surface 90 b of thesecond case member 90, and thesecond support members 54 b provided in the space between the rear of thehumidifier 60 and therear surface 90 c of thesecond case member 90, and thehumidifier 60 includes thedisplacement absorber 62 c which is breakable or deformable by application of the load. In the structure, it is possible to prevent breakage of the fixingparts 60 a, prevent movement of thehumidifier 60, and prevent breakage of the hydrogen systemauxiliary device 71. Further, in thefuel cell module 10E according to the embodiment, since thehumidifier 60 can be used as a channel for distributing the load and/or a member for the achieving the required strength, it is possible to improve the strength of theauxiliary device case 72 without increasing the thickness and the weight of theauxiliary device case 72. - Although the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described, the present invention is not limited to these embodiments. It is a matter of course that various modifications may be made without departing from the gist of the present invention. For example, a fuel cell module which achieves protection of the hydrogen system
auxiliary device 71 may be produced by combining a plurality of characteristic features shown in the first to sixth embodiments. Further, the structure for protecting the hydrogen systemauxiliary device 71 may be applied to the oxidizing agent systemauxiliary device 40 other than thehumidifier 60, and may be applied to valves, a gas liquid separator tank, or an air pump, etc.
Claims (10)
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JP2018172832A JP7093705B2 (en) | 2018-09-14 | 2018-09-14 | Fuel cell module |
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JP5312270B2 (en) * | 2009-09-17 | 2013-10-09 | 本田技研工業株式会社 | Fuel cell stack |
JP5829565B2 (en) * | 2012-03-29 | 2015-12-09 | 本田技研工業株式会社 | Fuel cell system |
JP5788851B2 (en) | 2012-10-19 | 2015-10-07 | 本田技研工業株式会社 | Vehicle-mounted fuel cell power plant |
US9809099B2 (en) | 2013-10-04 | 2017-11-07 | Toyota Jidosha Kabushiki Kaisha | Fuel cell vehicle and method of mounting fuel cell stack on vehicle |
JP5965423B2 (en) | 2014-02-24 | 2016-08-03 | 本田技研工業株式会社 | Fuel cell vehicle |
JP6119662B2 (en) * | 2014-04-22 | 2017-04-26 | トヨタ自動車株式会社 | Electric vehicle |
JP6579124B2 (en) * | 2017-02-14 | 2019-09-25 | トヨタ自動車株式会社 | Fuel cell vehicle |
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US11335927B2 (en) | 2022-05-17 |
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